Eagle Ford Oil Output Surpasses 600,000 b/d In May

Eagle Ford oil production crossed 600,000 b/d for the first time in May 2013. Initial reports to the Texas Railroad Commission total more than 580,000 b/d. With revisions and late reporting almost every month has been revised upward by 30,000-50,000 b/d.

The U.S. produced 7.3 million b/d of crude oil in April, so the Eagle Ford accounts for more than 8% of all oil produced across the country. The Eagle Ford is quickly gaining on other shale plays and will likely match and surpass Bakken production sometime in the next two years.

Gas production from the Eagle Ford has held relatively flat. The Eagle Ford has averaged a little more than 2.1 Bcf/d of natural gas production so far this year.

As of July 3, 2013, a little less than 4,000 oil wells and almost 1,700 gas wells were producing from the Eagle Ford. More than 10,000 permits have been issued in the play since 2008.

Remember, liquids reported by the TX RRC are measured at the wellhead. Additional condensate and natural gas liquids will be gathered further downstream in separators and processing plants. Industry analysts estimate the Eagle Ford is producing closer to 900,000 b/d of crude oil, condensate, and NGLs.